The unsung heroes

Abstract

Justifiably or not, the vilification of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority and its employees has been deeply rooted in our ethos. This column has highlighted the shortcomings of the authority over the years, but it has also underscored the merits too. Three separate enforcement cases will further illustrate my point. At the end of October, Mepa closed access to a dwelling and garage built without a permit in Delimara. This site had already been sealed off but the seals on the premises were broken. Therefore, Mepa took the matter a step further by placing concrete barriers in front of all accesses to the dwelling and structures. The illegal development consisted of the construction of a totally new dwelling, wooden structures, a boundary wall, gate and paving, all without the necessary permits.